Now Commenting On:

After busy Game 3, Kozma back in lineup

After busy Game 3, Kozma back in lineup

10/6/13: Pete Kozma snares Justin Morneau's grounder to short and makes a heads-up throw to third to nab Andrew McCutchen trying to advance

By Jenifer Langosch, Joey Nowak and John Schlegel
/
MLB.com |

PITTSBURGH -- One day after finding himself in the middle of a lot of the action on the infield and at the plate, Pete Kozma found himself in the Cardinals' lineup again for Game 4 of the National League Division Series.

Kozma, who had a throwing error in a two-run Pirates first but then reached base three times in the Cards' 5-3 loss in Game 3, got the nod at shortstop over Daniel Descalso, who had been in the lineup more often down the stretch and started the first two games, going 0-for-8.

Although right-hander Charlie Morton was on the mound for Pittsburgh, Matheny decided to go with the hotter hand from the right side in Kozma over Descalso, a left-handed hitter.

"[Kozma] had a good day yesterday, and has also had a little bit of success off Morton in the past," Matheny said.

Kozma has gone 2-for-6 with a double and an RBI single vs. Morton this season, the only times he has faced him. Meanwhile, Descalso has yet to face Morton this season and is 0-for-10 with three walks and a hit-by-pitch against him for his career.

With Kozma back in the No. 8 spot, the Cardinals made a few other changes in the lower part of the lineup as they shifted from facing a lefty to a righty. First baseman Matt Adams moved up to the cleanup spot, with Yadier Molina behind him, followed by Jon Jay and David Freese.